Antiseptic bandage.



No. 703,627. Patented July x, |902.

c. F. UTERMGHLEN.

ANTISEPTIC BANDGE.

(Application led Nov. 18, 1901A (Specimens.

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l Il' UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

CARL FRIEDRICH UTERMHLEN, OF AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS.

ANTISEPTIC BAN DAG E.

SPECIFICATION forming 'part of Letters Patent N o. 703,627, dated July 1, 1902.

` Application filed November 18, 1901. Serial No. 82,739. (Specimens.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL FRIEDRICH UTER- MHLEN, manager, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Weesperzyde No. 99, Amsterdam, Netherlands, have invented a newandusefullmprovedAntiseptic Bandage; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improved antiseptic bandage which is so folded together as to be ready for application without requiring to be disinfected, for the reason that the part thereof for covering the wound remains sterilized under all conditions, even if the bandage or binder should be dropped on the ground or be touched with uncleaned hands. This is effected according to4 this invention by forming the bandage of a flat pad of gauze, wadding, or the like, to the back of which is sewed or otherwise suitably secured one or more bands or straps, the pad being folded in such a manner as to completely cover or envelop the under side, or that surface which will be in contact with a wound when applied, of the bandage till required for use. When it is desired to use the bandage, it is only necessary to unfasten the retainingstrings, and by means of the binder or strap which is coiled up at the back it can be unfolded and applied to the wound without touching the pad itself.

Now 1 shall describe a preferable embodiment of my invention with regard to the accompanying drawings. I

Figure 1 is a top view of the bandage spread for use. Fig. 2 shows, on alarger scale, aside elevation of the bandage, partially folded, Fig. 3 shows, also on a larger scale, a crosssection of the final package, the bandage being completely folded.

According-to the method of constructing an antiseptic vbandage shown in the drawings the bandage or that portion thereof which is to contact with a wound consists of a layer or pad ct of antiseptic wadding, covered with an antiseptic gauze, forA example, of any convenient form. It is self-evident that the bandage proper, a., can be made also in any other way, as the special construction of this pad is not an essential feature ofmy invention. To the back of the pad is or are attachedsay'by sewingone or two strips b, serving as binders or straps.

In the drawings I have illustrated a single band or strap b, extending continuously across and projecting beyond opposite sides of the bandage proper, a.

As it is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the bandage according to thisinvention is so arranged as to allowof the free ends of the binder or strap b being first coiled up, the sides 1 1 and 2 2, Fig. 1, of the pad a being then folded downward. Hereupon the sides 1 2 and 1 2 are againfolded at right angles to the previous fold, as is shown in Fig. 2 by the arrows. The parts are then in the position shown in Fig. 3. The whole is then secured by the tape c or the like wound I.around the exterior of the folded bandage,forming a package which occupies but a minimum amount of space and within which the bandage is held in such manner that the surface thereof which contacts with a wound when in use is prevented from' being contaminated or infected. The bandage may be retained in such` package and in the folded form illustrated and described until the same is required for use, when the tape is first removed and the coiled straps or binders are held between the .thumb Vand foreiinger in each hand and pulled to both sides, so that the bandage opens by itself. v Thus it is impossible for the bandage tov become infected before its use.

InY order to unfold the bandage and apply it to a wound, it is not necessary to touch the pad a. By pulling slightly on the projecting ends of the binder or strap b it is easily unfolded, and while held by said strap can be readily applied. l

Instead of using separate tape c or the like, one of the ends of the binder or strap may be wound around it, although this is not so ad- .vantageous Havingnow particularly described and ascertained the nature of'my said invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is p 1. The herein-described surgical package, consisting of a bandage folded upon itself to completely cover and protect the surface adapted to be applied to a wound, a binder IOO attached to said bandage, for the purpose of securing the bandage in place when in use, being exposed and providing means for unfolding and applying the bandage, and a retainer holding the bandage in its folded po sition.

2. The herein-described surgical package consisting of a bandage folded upon itself to completely cover and protect the surface adapted to be applied to a Wound, a binder secured to and having its free ends coiled upon 

